Information communication system, facility apparatus, user apparatus, and methods for controlling facility apparatus and user apparatus

ABSTRACT

An information communication system is capable of allowing a service provider at a facility to appropriately attend a user visiting the facility in accordance with an intention of the user. The information communication system includes a user apparatus carried by the user and a facility apparatus installed at a facility the user may visit. The user apparatus enters the user intention concerning the facility service provider and transmits intention information indicating the entered user intention to the facility apparatus capable of short range wireless communication. The user apparatus transmits appearance information indicating the user&#39;s captured face picture to the facility apparatus. When receiving the intention information from the user apparatus, the facility apparatus allows a display section to display the user intention indicated by the intention information along with the user&#39;s captured face picture indicated by the appearance information received from the user apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and incorporates herein by referenceJapanese Patent Application No. 2007-104154 filed on Apr. 11, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an information communication systemused for a facility a user may visit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, there have been proposed systems for promoting the useof facilities. In the sales promotion system disclosed in PatentDocument 1, for example, a seller of commodities uses a shop terminal toupload sales promotion information including free service points to aserver. A buyer uses a mobile telephone terminal to receive the uploadedsales promotion information. After acquiring the sales promotioninformation, the mobile telephone terminal user, as a buyer, visits theshop that delivered the sales promotion information. At this time, thebuyer transmits his or her personal information (name, age, gender,address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) to a shop terminalthrough infrared communication. The seller can receive the buyer'spersonal information using the shop terminal, easily add the informationto a customer list, and improve the sales promotion.

Patent Document 1: JP-2003-271867 A

Factors for promoting the use of a facility include an appropriateattendance by a service provider at the facility. Some users visitingthe facility may wish active attendances from the service provider ofthe facility. Others may feel annoyed by such active attendances. Anappropriate attendance by the service provider at the facility dependson users visiting the facility.

It is preferable but difficult for a service provider at a facility toattend a user visiting the facility in consideration for the user'sintention. According to the construction described in Patent Document 1above, the service provider at the facility can recognize personalinformation about a user visiting the facility but cannot recognize theuser's intention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the foregoing.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninformation communication system capable of allowing a facility serviceprovider to attend a user visiting the facility in accordance with theuser intention.

According to an example of the present invention, an informationcommunication system is provided as follows. The informationcommunication system comprises a user apparatus carried by a user and afacility apparatus provided for a facility a user may visit. The userapparatus includes: (i) an intention input control unit for supplying anintention of a user carrying the user apparatus to a service provider atthe facility; (ii) an intention information transmission control unitfor transmitting intention specification information capable ofspecifying an input user intention to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the user apparatus under condition that the intentioninput control unit inputs a user intention; and (iii) an appearanceinformation transmission control unit for transmitting appearancespecification information capable of specifying external characteristicsof a user carrying the user apparatus to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the user apparatus. The facility apparatus includes:(i) a notification control unit for notifying, when receiving theintention specification information from the user apparatus, a serviceprovider at the facility of a user intention specified based on theintention specification information along with external characteristicsof a user specified based on appearance specification informationreceived from the user apparatus.

As another example of the present invention, the facility apparatusincluded in the above information communication system is provided.

As another example of the present invention, the user apparatus includedin the above information communication system is provided.

According to another example of the present invention, a method isprovided for controlling the above facility apparatus. The methodcomprises: notifying a service provider at the facility of a userintention specified based on the intention specification informationalong with external characteristics of a user specified based onappearance specification information received from the user apparatusunder condition that the intention specification information is receivedfrom the user apparatus. Relating to this example, as yet anotherexample of the present invention, a computer readable medium comprisinginstructions being executed by a computer is provided, wherein theinstructions includes the above method for controlling the userapparatus and the method is computer-implemented.

According to another example of the present invention, a method isprovided for controlling the above user apparatus. The method comprises:(i) supplying an intention of a user carrying the user apparatus to aservice provider at the facility; (ii) transmitting intentionspecification information capable of specifying an input user intentionto a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatusunder condition that a user intention is input; and (iii) transmittingappearance specification information capable of specifying externalcharacteristics of a user carrying the user apparatus to a facilityapparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatus. Relating tothis example, as yet another example of the present invention, acomputer readable medium comprising instructions being executed by acomputer is provided, wherein the instructions includes the above methodfor controlling the user apparatus and the method iscomputer-implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an informationcommunication system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation section of a userapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an information transmission processaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a user information display processaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on adisplay section;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on adisplay section;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing an informationcommunication system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing placement of a camera;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a user information display processaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing an informationcommunication system according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a salesperson database;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a user information display processaccording to a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a salesperson determination process; and

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing information displayed on adisplay section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

1. First Embodiment

The information communication system according to a first embodimentwill be described below.

<1-1. Overall Construction>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the informationcommunication system according to the first embodiment. The informationcommunication system allows a salesperson as a service provider toattend a user in accordance with the user's intention at a facility (astore such as a distribution outlet or a restaurant) the user may visit.The information communication system includes a facility apparatus 10installed at the facility and a user apparatus 20 carried by the user.

The following describes specific constructions of the apparatuses 10 and20 included in the information communication system.

<1-1-1. Construction of the Facility Apparatus>

The facility apparatus 10 includes a control section 11, a communicationsection 12, a display section 13, and a storage section 14.

The control section 11 mainly includes a known microcomputer having aCPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and performs various processes.

The communication section 12 provides short range wireless communicationwith the user apparatus 20 of a user visiting a facility. Thecommunication section 12 can wirelessly communicate with the userapparatus 20 in the communication area. The embodiment forms thecommunication area so as to cover an entire range where the uservisiting the facility may be detected. The short range wirelesscommunication includes Bluetooth (registered trademark), DSRC (DedicatedShort Range Communication), wireless LAN, and ZIGBEE (registeredtrademark), for example.

The display section 13 displays various types of information for afacility salesperson. For example, the display section 13 uses an liquidcrystal display.

The storage section 14 can store various types of information. Thestorage section 14 stores facility identification information, i.e.,identification information specific to a facility where the facilityapparatus 10 is installed. The facility identification information isnot only specific to the facility where the facility apparatus 10 isinstalled but also capable of specifying the type (of business) of thefacility. For example, the facility identification information includesa 10-digit number. First three digits represent the facility type. Lastseven digits represent a unique number.

<1-1-2. Construction of the User Apparatus>

The user apparatus 20 is a portable terminal (mobile telephone terminalin this embodiment) that can be carried by the user using the facility.The user apparatus 20 includes a control section 21, the communicationsection 22, a storage section 23, a display section 24, and an operationsection 25.

The control section 21 mainly includes a known microcomputer having aCPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and performs various processes. The communicationsection 22 provides short range wireless communication with the facilityapparatus 10.

The storage section 23 can store various types of information and storesuser identification information, appearance information, basicinformation, and preference information. The storage section 23 writesand updates these types of information as needed when the usersubscribes to the information communication system for using it, forexample.

The user identification information is unique to the user carrying theuser apparatus 20. The appearance information represents externalcharacteristics of the user carrying the user apparatus 20. According tothe embodiment, the appearance information is equivalent to a facialportrait, i.e., captured image information representing the user's face.

The basic information represents attributes of the user carrying theuser apparatus 20. According to the embodiment, the basic informationincludes user's name, height, weight, age, available language, gender,family structure, and hobby.

The preference information indicates preferences of the user carryingthe user apparatus 20. The embodiment categorizes the preferenceinformation according to facility types. For example, the preferenceinformation about a clothing store contains preferred colors and styles.Specifically, the information about preferred colors includes clothingcolors such as blue, green, and violet, color tones, brightly colored orpatterned cloth. The information about preferred styles includes trendsuch as traditional and type such as loose-fitting for easy movement.

The display section 24 displays various types of information and uses anliquid crystal display, for example. The operation section 25 is usedfor the user to enter an instruction as an outside operation. As shownin FIG. 2, the operation section 25 includes multiple keys (switches)the user can press. The keys include an attendance request key 26 and anattendance refusing key 27. These are special keys for an intentionnotification operation that notifies a facility salesperson of anintention of the user carrying the user apparatus 20.

The attendance request key 26 notifies an attendance requestingintention, i.e., an intention to request attendance by the salespersonas a service provider. When the user carrying the user apparatus 20presses the attendance request key 26 in the facility, a process (to bedescribed) allows the display section 13 of the facility apparatus 10 inthe facility to display a message indicating the attendance requestingintention along with the user's captured face image (e.g., see FIG. 5).

The attendance refusing key 27 notifies an attendance refusingintention, i.e., an intention to refuse attendance by the salesperson.When the user carrying the user apparatus 20 presses the attendancerefusing key 27 in the facility, a process (to be described) allows thedisplay section 13 of the facility apparatus 10 in the facility todisplay a message indicating the attendance refusing intention alongwith the user's captured face image.

The embodiment previously provides the attendance requesting intentionand the attendance refusing intention as candidates for user intentions.The user can select either intention to notify it to the facilitysalesperson.

The keys provided for the operation section 25 include dial keypad 28for entering information such as numbers and letters. The user cantransmit additional information for the attendance requesting intention.For example, the user can enter a numeric value for specifying apreferred time or timing of attendance by the salesperson. The user canenter text for notifying his or her intention to the salesperson.

For example, let us suppose that the user enters numeric value “3” onthe dial keypad and then presses the attendance request key 26 at thefacility. A process (to be described) starts and allows the displaysection 13 of the facility apparatus 10 provided for the facility todisplay a message indicating the user's intention to request attendancethree minutes later (FIG. 5).

Further, let us suppose that the user uses the dial keypad 28 to enterany text such as a purpose to visit the facility or an interestedcommodity and then presses the attendance request key 26 at thefacility. A process (to be described) starts and allows the displaysection 13 of the facility apparatus 10 provided for the facility todisplay the text entered by the user (FIG. 6).

<1-2. Processes Performed in the Information Communication System>

The following describes processes performed on the apparatuses 10 and 20included in the information communication system according to the firstembodiment.

<1-2-1. Information Transmission Process>

With reference to a flow chart in FIG. 3, the following describes aninformation transmission process performed by the control section 21 ofthe user apparatus 20. The information transmission process starts whenthe user apparatus 20 is turned on. The process is continuously repeateduntil the user apparatus 20 is turned off.

When starting the information transmission process, the control section21 determines at Step S101 whether or not the above-mentioned intentionnotification operation is performed on the operation section 25.

The process proceeds to Step S102 when it is determined at Step S101that the intention notification operation is performed. At Step S102,the control section 21 transmits intention information indicating theuser intention corresponding to the intention notification operation aswell as the user identification information stored in the storagesection 23 to the facility apparatus 10 capable of short range wirelesscommunication with the user apparatus 20. The process then proceeds toStep S103. The intention information represents one of the attendancerequesting intention and the attendance refusing intention as the userintention. In particular, the intention information also contains arequested attendance timing or a specific request when specified.

The process directly proceeds to Step S103 when it is determined at StepS101 that no intention notification operation is performed. At StepS103, the control section 21 determines whether or not to receive a userinformation transmission request for appearance information, basicinformation, and preference information. As will be described later, thefacility apparatus 10 receiving the intention information transmits theuser information transmission request along with facility identificationinformation about the facility provided with the facility apparatus 10.

The process proceeds to Step S104 when it is determined at Step S103that the user information transmission request is received. The controlsection 21 extracts the preference information that is stored in thestorage section 14 and corresponds to a facility type indicated by thefacility identification information received along with the userinformation transmission request. That is, the control section 21extracts the preference information about the facility the user visits.

At Step S105, the control section 21 transmits the preferenceinformation extracted at Step S104 and the appearance information andthe basic information (about the user carrying the user apparatus 20)stored in the storage section 23 as well as the user identificationinformation to the requesting facility apparatus 10. The process onceends and is repeated from Step S101.

The process once ends and is repeated from Step S101 when it isdetermined at Step S103 that no user information transmission request isreceived.

<1-2-2. User Information Display Process>

With reference to a flow chart in FIG. 4, the following describes a userinformation display process performed by the control section 11 of thefacility apparatus 10.

When starting the user information display process, the control section11 determines at Step S201 whether or not the intention information isreceived. The process proceeds to Step S202 when it is determined thatthe intention information is received. As mentioned above, the intentioninformation is transmitted from the user apparatus 20 along with theuser identification information about the user present in the facility.

At Step S202, the control section 11 transmits a user informationtransmission request to the user apparatus 20 as a transmission originof the intention information. The user information transmission requestis used to transmit the appearance information, the basic information,and the preference information. The user apparatus 20 stores theappearance information, the basic information, and the preferenceinformation, and transmits these pieces of information along with theuser identification information to the facility apparatus 10 (Step S105of the information transmission process in FIG. 3).

At Step S203, the control section 11 receives the appearanceinformation, the basic information, the preference information, and theuser identification information transmitted from the user apparatus 20.At Step S240, the control section 11 allows the display section 13 todisplay the contents of the intention information, the appearanceinformation, the basic information, and the preference informationreceived from the user apparatus 20. The process once ends and is thenrepeated from Step S201.

As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the top left of the display screendisplays the content of the intention information “the customer iscalling you—three minutes later.” The content of the appearanceinformation (captured face picture) is displayed below. The top right ofthe display screen displays the content of the basic information such asname, height, weight, age, available language, gender, family structure,and hobby. The content of the preference information such as preferredcolor and style is displayed below.

When the intention information contains the requested attendance timing,the example in FIG. 5 shows “three minutes later” as the timing of therequested attendance by the salesperson. The embodiment displays minutesto reach a time when the user wishes the start of the attendance. Aprocess is performed to update (decrement) the displayed value as thetime elapses. The facility salesperson can attend the user at a timepoint the user wishes independently of the timing when the salespersonconfirms the content displayed on the display section 13. The example inFIG. 5 excludes the indication “three minutes later” when the intentioninformation does not contain the requested attendance timing.

When the intention information contains a specific content, the displayscreen shows text indicating the content as the intention informationcontent. In this example, the text indicates that the today's purpose isto purchase a gift for the accompanying wife for her birthday and shewishes a spring casual shirt.

<1-3. Examples of Use>

The following describes examples of using the information communicationsystem according to the first embodiment.

Let us suppose that the user visits the facility and presses theattendance request key 26 on the operation section 25 of the userapparatus 20. The user apparatus 20 transmits the intention informationindicating the attendance requesting intention to the facility apparatus10 through short range wireless communication. The facility apparatus 10then acquires the appearance information, the basic information, and thepreference information stored in the user apparatus 20. The displaysection 13 of the facility apparatus 10 displays the intentioninformation representing the attendance requesting intention, user'scaptured face picture, the basic information, and the preferenceinformation. In this case, the intention information provides a message“the customer is calling you.” The facility salesperson can find theuser based on the captured face picture and actively attend the user.

When the user enters a numeric value before pressing the attendancerequest key 26, the display section 13 also displays a message such as“three minutes later” as the intention information content (FIG. 5). Inthis case, the facility salesperson can be ready for attending the userat the scheduled time.

When the user enters text before pressing the attendance request key 26,the display section 13 also displays that text as the intentioninformation content (FIG. 6). In this case, the facility salesperson canactively provide the user with specific services appropriate to thecontent of the text.

When the user visiting the facility presses the attendance refusing key27 of the user apparatus 20, the display section 13 displays theintention information indicating the attendance refusing intention,i.e., a message such as “the customer refuses attendance.” The facilitysalesperson can find the user based on the captured face picture andavoid active attendance for the user.

<1-4. Effects>

As mentioned above, the information communication system according tothe first embodiment provides the following effects.

The user visiting the facility can easily notify a facility salespersonof the user's intention whether or not to wish the attendance by thesalesperson. The user can comfortably use the facility. Otherwise, theuser may not find a salesperson even though the user needs thesalesperson's attendance. On the contrary, the user may be spoken to bya salesperson even though the user does not need the salesperson'sattendance. The facility salesperson can understand the intention of theuser visiting the facility and take proper action in accordance with theuser intention. In addition, the facility salesperson can easilyidentify multiple unknown users visiting the facility by theirappearances based on captured face pictures even when the users areunlocatable. The salesperson can recognize the intention of each user.

The operation section 25 of the user apparatus 20 is provided with thespecial keys (attendance request key 26 and attendance refusing key 27)for notifying attendance requesting intention and attendance refusingintention. The user can easily convey his or her intention to thefacility salesperson.

The user can specify the time to wish the attendance by the salespersonas additional information for the attendance requesting intention. Theuser can be efficiently attended by the salesperson. The user can entertext that specifies a specific request. The user can flexibly convey hisor her intention. For example, the user can convey intentions of notonly his or her own but also his or her companion.

The facility salesperson can recognize the basic information indicatinguser attributes and the preference information indicating userpreferences. The salesperson can actively provide services appropriateto the user. The facility apparatus 10 is constructed to be capable ofshort range wireless communication with the user apparatus 20. Thefacility apparatus 10 receives various types of information only fromthe user apparatus 20 communicating with the facility apparatus 10,i.e., the user apparatus 20 carried by the user visiting the facility.Accordingly, the display section 13 displays only information about theuser visiting the facility. The facility salesperson can confirm onlynecessary information.

The facility apparatus 10 receives such information from the userapparatus 20 as the appearance information indicating externalcharacteristics of a user visiting the facility and the basicinformation and the preference information about the user. The facilityapparatus 10 need not previously store information about the uservisiting the facility. The facility salesperson can take appropriateaction for a user who visits the facility for the first time.

The mobile telephone terminal is used as the user apparatus 20. Whenusing the facility, the user can use the information communicationsystem without needing for particularly carrying a dedicated apparatus.

<1-5. Correspondence Between Technical Terms Used for the Embodimentsand Functions>

In the information communication system according to the firstembodiment, the control section 11 of the facility apparatus 10 forperforming Step S204 of the user information display process (FIG. 4)may function as a notification control means or unit.

The control section 21 of the user apparatus 20 for performing Step S101of the information transmission process (FIG. 3) may function as anintention input control means or unit. The control section 21 performingStep S102 may function as an intention information transmission controlmeans or unit. The control section 21 performing Step S105 may functionas an appearance information transmission control means or unit and auser information transmission control means or unit.

2. Second Embodiment

The following describes the information communication system accordingto a second embodiment.

<2-1. Overall Construction>

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the informationcommunication system according to a second embodiment.

The information communication system according to the second embodimentdiffers from the information communication system according to the firstembodiment in that the control section 11 of the facility apparatus 10is connected to cameras 31 provided at multiple locations of thefacility so as to be capable of communication. As shown in FIG. 8, forexample the camera 31 is mounted on the top of a pillar 42 adjacent to adisplay rack 41 so as to be able to capture the face of a user in frontof the display rack 41 in the facility. There may be a camera used toprevent shoplifting. Such camera can be used as the camera 31. Thefollowing mainly describes differences from the informationcommunication system according to the first embodiment. The same partsor components are depicted by the same reference numerals and a detaileddescription is omitted for simplicity.

<2-2. Processes Performed on the Information Communication System>

The following describes processes performed on the apparatuses 10 and 20included in the information communication system according to the secondembodiment.

<2-2-1. Information Transmission Process>

The information transmission process performed by the control section 21of the user apparatus 20 is the same as the information transmissionprocess according to the first embodiment (FIG. 3) and a detaileddescription is omitted for simplicity.

<2-2-2. User Information Display Process>

With reference to a flow chart in FIG. 9, the following describes theuser information display process performed by the control section 11 ofthe facility apparatus 10. The user information display processaccording to the second embodiment differs from the user informationdisplay process according to the first embodiment (FIG. 4) in that StepS204 is replaced by Step S308 and Steps S304 through S307 are added. Theprocess contents of Steps S301 through S303 are the same as those ofSteps S201 through S203 and a detailed description is omitted forsimplicity.

At Step S304, the control section 11 extracts a face feature point fromthe user's captured face picture indicated by the appearance informationreceived at Step S303. That is, the control section 11 extracts the facefeature point of the user who performed an intention notificationoperation. At Step S305, the control section 11 extracts face featurepoints from the captured face pictures of all the users captured by thecamera 31.

At Step S306, the control section 11 compares the face feature pointextracted at Step S304 with the face feature point extracted at StepS305 and specifies a face feature point that is extracted at Step S305and matches the face feature point extracted at Step S304. This stepspecifies the user who is found in the facility and performed theintention notification operation.

At Step S307, the control section 11 specifies a camera that captured aface picture containing the face feature point matching the face featurepoint extracted at Step S304. The control section 11 assigns positioninformation (e.g., “near the fifth pillar”) to the position where thecamera is installed. That is, the control section 11 locates the user'swhereabouts by specifying the camera used for capturing the user whoperformed the intention notification operation. The position informationbecomes null (hidden) when no face feature point matches the facefeature point extracted at Step S304, i.e., when the camera 31 does notcapture the user who performed the intention notification operation.

At Step S308, the control section 11 allows the display section 13 todisplay the contents of the intention information, the appearanceinformation, the basic information, and the preference informationreceived from the user apparatus 20 and the content of the positioninformation. The process once ends and is then repeated from Step S201.As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the display screen displays thecontents of the intention information and the position information atthe upper left, i.e., “the customer is calling you—near the fifthpillar—three minutes later” according to the example in FIG. 8. Thecontent of the appearance information (captured face picture) isdisplayed below. The display screen displays the content of the basicinformation such as name, height, weight, age, available language,gender, family structure, and hobby at the top right. The content of thepreference information such as preferred color and style is displayedbelow.

<2-3. Examples of Use>

The following describes examples of using the information communicationsystem according to the second embodiment. Let us suppose that the uservisits the facility and presses the attendance request key 26 on theoperation section 25 of the user apparatus 20. The user apparatus 20transmits the intention information indicating the attendance requestingintention to the facility apparatus 10 through short range wirelesscommunication. The facility apparatus 10 then acquires the appearanceinformation, the basic information, and the preference informationstored in the user apparatus 20. The facility apparatus 10 extracts theuser's face feature point from the appearance information. The extracteduser's face feature point is compared to face feature points of all theusers captured by the cameras 31 installed in the facility. The positioninformation indicates the position of the camera 31 that captured theuser matching the face feature point. The display section 13 of thefacility apparatus 10 displays the intention information indicating theattendance requesting intention (the message “the customer is callingyou”), the position information (e.g., near the fifth pillar), theuser's captured face picture, basic information, and preferenceinformation. The facility salesperson can recognize the user'swhereabouts (“near the fifth pillar” in this example). Based on thecaptured face picture, the salesperson can find the user and take activeaction.

When the user enters a numeric value before pressing the attendancerequest key 26, the display section 13 also displays a message such as“three minutes later” as the intention information content (FIG. 8). Inthis case, the facility salesperson can be ready for attending the userat the scheduled time.

When the user enters text before pressing the attendance request key 26,the display section 13 also displays that text as the intentioninformation content. In this case, the facility salesperson can activelyprovide the user with specific services appropriate to the content ofthe text.

When the user visiting the facility presses the attendance refusing key27 of the user apparatus 20, the display section 13 displays theintention information indicating the attendance refusing intention,i.e., a message such as “the customer refuses attendance.” The facilitysalesperson can find the user based on the captured face picture andavoid active attendance for the user.

<2-4. Effects>

As mentioned above, the information communication system according tothe second embodiment provides the following effects in addition to theeffects of the first embodiment.

The facility apparatus 10 locates the user performing the intentionnotification operation and displays the location along with the user'scaptured face picture. The facility salesperson can easily find theuser.

<2-5. Correspondence Between Technical Terms Used for the Embodimentsand Functions>

In the information communication system according to the secondembodiment, the control section 11 of the facility apparatus 10 forperforming Steps S304 through S307 of the user information displayprocess (FIG. 9) may function as a position detection control means orunit. The control section 11 for performing Step S308 may function as anotification control means or unit.

The control section 21 of the user apparatus 20 for performing Step S101of the information transmission process (FIG. 3) may function as anintention input means or unit. The control section 21 for performingStep S102 may function as an intention information transmission controlmeans or unit. The control section 21 for performing Step S105 mayfunction as an appearance information transmission control means or unitand a user information transmission control means or unit.

3. Third Embodiment

The following describes the information communication system accordingto a third embodiment.

<3-1. Overall Construction>

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the informationcommunication system according to the third embodiment.

The information communication system according to the third embodimentdiffers from the information communication system according to the firstembodiment (FIG. 1) in that the storage section 14 of the facilityapparatus 10 stores a salesperson database and that the storage section23 of the user apparatus 20 stores an intention candidate database.

As shown in FIG. 11, the salesperson database stores information about asalesperson. According to the embodiment, the information about eachsalesperson contains a salesperson name, specialized field, availablelanguage, and gender.

The intention candidate database stores specific intention candidatesthat can be notified to facility salespersons. According to theembodiment, the intention candidate database stores intention candidatesaccording to facility types. During the intention notificationoperation, the user apparatus 20 allows the display section 24 todisplay selectable intention candidates. The user apparatus 20 transmitsa selected intention to the facility apparatus 10.

Specifically, the user apparatus 20 first displays candidates such as“clothing store” and “restaurant” as facility type choices. When“clothing store” is selected, the user apparatus 20 displays candidatessuch as “men's” and “women's” as purchase candidates in the clothingstore. When “men's” is selected and the attendance request key 26 ispressed, the user apparatus 20 transmits the intention information tothe facility apparatus 10 so as to notify that the user intends topurchase men's clothes.

The following mainly describes differences from the informationcommunication system according to the first embodiment. The same partsor components are depicted by the same reference numerals and a detaileddescription is omitted for simplicity.

<3-2. Processes Performed on the Information Communication System>

The following describes processes performed on the apparatuses 10 and 20included in the information communication system according to the thirdembodiment.

<3-2-1. Information Transmission Process>

The information transmission process performed by the control section 21of the user apparatus 20 is the same as the information transmissionprocess according to the first embodiment (FIG. 3) and a detaileddescription is omitted for simplicity.

<3-2-2. User Information Display Process>

With reference to a flow chart in FIG. 12, the following describes theuser information display process performed by the control section 11 ofthe facility apparatus 10. The user information display processaccording to the third embodiment differs from the user informationdisplay process according to the first embodiment (FIG. 4) in that StepS204 is replaced by Step S406 and Steps S404 and S405 are added. Theprocess contents of Steps S401 through S403 are the same as those ofSteps S201 through S203 and a detailed description is omitted forsimplicity.

At Step S404, the control section 11 determines whether or not theintention information received from the user apparatus 20 indicates anattendance requesting intention.

The process proceeds to Step S405 when it is determined at Step S404that the intention information indicates the attendance requestingintention. The control section 11 performs a salesperson determinationprocess for determining a salesperson who is best suited to attend theuser having the attendance requesting intention. The process proceeds toStep S406. A specific content of the salesperson determination processwill be described later (FIG. 13).

The process jumps to Step S406 when it is determined at Step S404 thatthe received intention information does not indicate the attendancerequesting intention. At Step S406, the control section 11 allows thedisplay section 13 to display the contents of the intention information,the appearance information, the basic information, and the preferenceinformation received from the user apparatus 20 and the content of thesalesperson information about the salesperson determined at Step S405.The process once ends and is then repeated from Step S401.

As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the display screen displays thecontents of the intention information and the salesperson information atthe top left (“the customer is calling Hanako Yamada” according to theexample in FIG. 14) and the content of the appearance information below(captured face picture). The display screen displays the content of thebasic information such as name, height, weight, age, available language,gender, family structure, and hobby at the top right. The content of thepreference information such as preferred color and style is displayedbelow.

The position information becomes null (hidden) when it is determined atStep S404 that the received intention information does not indicate theattendance requesting intention.

<3-2-3. Salesperson Determination Process>

With reference to a flow chart in FIG. 13, the following describes thesalesperson determination process performed at Step S405 of theabove-mentioned user information display process (FIG. 12).

When starting the salesperson determination process, the control section11 determines at Step S501 whether or not the Japanese language isavailable for the user having the attendance requesting intention basedon the basic information received from the user apparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S502 when it is determined at Step S501that the Japanese language is available for the user. The controlsection 11 determines whether or not the user intends to purchase men'scommodities based on the intention information received from the userapparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S503 and selects “Taro Yamada” as asalesperson appropriate for attending the user when it is determined atStep S502 that the user intends to purchase men's commodities. Thesalesperson determination process then terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S504 and selects “Hanako Yamada” as asalesperson appropriate for attending the user when it is determined atStep S502 that the user does not intend to purchase men's commodities.The salesperson determination process then terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S505 when it is determined at Step S501that the Japanese language is not available for the user. The controlsection 11 determines whether or not the English language is availablefor the user based on the basic information received from the userapparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S506 when it is determined at Step S505that the English language is available for the user. The control section11 determines whether or not the user intends to purchase men'scommodities based on the intention information received from the userapparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S507 and selects “Mark” as a salespersonappropriate for attending the user when it is determined at Step S506that the user intends to purchase men's commodities. The salespersondetermination process then terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S504 and selects “Hanako Yamada” as asalesperson appropriate for attending the user when it is determined atStep S506 that the user does not intend to purchase men's commodities.The salesperson determination process then terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S508 when it is determined at Step S505that the English language is not available for the user. The controlsection 11 determines whether or not the French language is availablefor the user based on the basic information received from the userapparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S509 and selects “Lucy” as a salespersonappropriate for attending the user when it is determined at Step S508that the French language is available for the user. The salespersondetermination process then terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S510 when it is determined at Step S508that the French language is not available for the user. The controlsection 11 determines whether or not the user is male based on the basicinformation received from the user apparatus 20.

The process proceeds to Step S511 and selects “Taro Yamada” as asalesperson appropriate for attending the user when it is determined atStep S510 that the user is male. The salesperson determination processthen terminates.

The process proceeds to Step S512 and selects “Hanako Yamada” as asalesperson appropriate for attending the user when it is determined atStep S510 that the user is not male. The salesperson determinationprocess then terminates.

The salesperson determination process determines a salespersonappropriate for attending the user having the attendance requestingintention.

<3-3. Examples of Use>

The following describes examples of using the information communicationsystem according to the third embodiment. Let us suppose that the uservisits the facility and presses the attendance request key 26 on theoperation section 25 of the user apparatus 20. The user apparatus 20transmits the intention information indicating the attendance requestingintention to the facility apparatus 10 through short range wirelesscommunication. The facility apparatus 10 acquires the appearanceinformation, the basic information, and the preference informationstored in the user apparatus 20. The facility apparatus 10 determines asalesperson appropriate for attending the user based on the intentioninformation and the basic information. The display section 13 of thefacility apparatus 10 displays the intention information indicating theattendance requesting intention (the message showing “the customer iscalling”), the salesperson information (e.g., “Hanako Yamada), and theuser's captured face picture, basic information, and preferenceinformation (FIG. 14). Hanako Yamada, a facility salesperson, can findthe user based on the captured face picture and actively attend theuser.

When the user enters a numeric value before pressing the attendancerequest key 26, the display section 13 also displays a message such as“three minutes later” as the intention information content. In thiscase, Hanako Yamada, the facility salesperson, can be ready forattending the user at the scheduled time.

When the user enters text before pressing the attendance request key 26,the display section 13 also displays that text as the intentioninformation content. In this case, Hanako Yamada, the facilitysalesperson, can actively provide the user with specific servicesappropriate to the content of the text.

When the user visiting the facility presses the attendance refusing key27 of the user apparatus 20, the display section 13 displays theintention information indicating the attendance refusing intention,i.e., a message such as “the customer refuses attendance.” The facilitysalesperson can find the user based on the captured face picture andavoid active attendance for the user.

<3-4. Effects>

As mentioned above, the information communication system according tothe third embodiment provides the following effects in addition to theeffects of the first embodiment.

The facility apparatus 10 stores the information about the facilitysalespersons. The facility apparatus 10 determines and displays asalesperson appropriate for the user based on the information receivedfrom the user apparatus 20 and the stored information. An appropriatesalesperson can attend the user.

<3-5. Correspondence Between Technical Terms Used for the Embodimentsand Functions>

In the information communication system according to the thirdembodiment, the storage section 14 of the facility apparatus 10 mayfunction as a service provider information storage device. The controlsection 11 for performing Step S405 of the user information displayprocess (FIG. 12) may function as a service provider determinationcontrol means or unit. The control section 11 of the facility apparatus10 for performing Step S406 may function as a notification control meansor unit.

The control section 21 of the user apparatus 20 for performing Step S101of the information transmission process (FIG. 3) may function as anintention input control means or unit. The control section 21 forperforming Step S102 may function as an intention informationtransmission control means or unit. The control section 21 forperforming Step 105 may function as an appearance informationtransmission control means or unit and a user information transmissioncontrol means or unit.

<4. Modifications>

While there have been described specific preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the presentinvention may be embodied in various modifications.

<4-1. User Apparatus>

While the above-mentioned embodiments have exemplified the mobiletelephone terminal as the user apparatus according to the embodiment,the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be preferableto use storage apparatuses capable of wireless communication including aportable information device such as PDA and an electronic key (smartkey) for a vehicle. Further, it may be preferable to use storageapparatuses such as an IC card, an Edy card (registered trade mark,serving as a prepaid proximity contactless-type IC card), a USB memory,and an SD card for proximity contactless-type or contact-type dataexchange. The portable apparatus may be provided as a dedicatedapparatus without using the other apparatuses.

While the embodiments assume that a single user uses the user apparatus20, the invention is not limited thereto. Multiple users (e.g., familymembers) can use the common user apparatus 20. In this case, the userapparatus 20 stores information (user identification information, theappearance information, the basic information, and the preferenceinformation) about the users on a user basis. The user apparatus 20transmits the user information specified by the intention notificationoperation to the facility apparatus 10. This construction can alsoprovide the same effects as those of the embodiments.

<4-2. Facility Apparatus>

While the embodiments exemplified the clothing store as a facility forinstalling the facility apparatus 10, the facility capable of using thefacility apparatus according to the invention is not limited thereto.For example, the facility represents retail stores for furniture andelectric appliances, mass sales store such as hardware store andlarge-scale furniture shop, large-scale store such as department storeand supermarket, eating and drinking establishments such as restaurantand pub, barber shop and hair care salon, lodging facilities such ashotel, hospital, gymnasium, automobile dealer and parking facilities,play facilities such as amusement park airport, railroad station,harbor, and distribution outlets for audiovisual contents. The facilityservice provider includes a person who sells commodities at thefacility.

<4-3. Intention Input Control Unit>

While the embodiments have exemplified entry of user intentions based onoperations of the intention input control unit or means according to theembodiment, i.e., the attendance request key 26 and the attendancerefusing key 27 as special keys for intention notification operations,the invention is not limited thereto.

For example, an existing key on the user apparatus 20 may be used forthe intention notification operation. When the user apparatus 20 is amobile telephone terminal, a special application can be used to enable aspecified operation mode. In this mode, an existing key such as a speechkey or a power key can function as the attendance request key or theattendance refusing key. For example, the icons (FIG. 2) displayed onthe display section 24 may contain an icon for notifying the attendancerequesting intention or the attendance refusing intention. Selecting theicon may perform the intention notification operation.

While the embodiments provide the attendance requesting intention andthe attendance refusing intention as intention candidates in advance,the invention is not limited thereto. Only one intention (e.g., only theattendance requesting intention) can be provided as the intentioncandidate.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, the user enters any textto the user apparatus 20 as the specific content of a request for thesalesperson. The entered text is displayed on the display section 13 ofthe facility apparatus 10. However, the information is not limited totext. For example, the user may input his or her speech to the userapparatus 20 so that the speech can be output from the facilityapparatus 10. Alternatively, the user may capture any image using acamera mounted on the user apparatus 20 so that the image can bedisplayed on the display section 13 of the facility apparatus 10.

According to the third embodiment, the storage section 23 of the userapparatus 20 stores the intention candidate database for specificintention candidates categorized into facility types. The invention isnot limited thereto. For example, let us suppose that the user visitsthe facility and the user apparatus 20 becomes capable of short rangewireless communication with the facility apparatus 10. Under thiscondition, the facility apparatus 10 may transmit the intentioncandidate database concerning the facility to the user apparatus 20.According to this construction, the user apparatus 20 need not storeinformation about facilities the user does not visit. In addition, it ispossible to provide an up-to-date intention candidate specialized foreach facility.

<4-4. Intention Information Transmission Control Unit>

According to the embodiments, when the user performs the intentionnotification operation, the user apparatus 20 as the intentioninformation transmission control unit or means of the embodimenttransmits the intention information indicating the user intention to thefacility apparatus 10 capable of short range wireless communication. Theinvention is not limited thereto.

For example, the intention information may be transmitted when theintention notification operation is performed and then the facilityapparatus 10 capable of short range wireless communication is detected.Under such construction, the user can perform the intention notificationoperation even when the user apparatus 20 is incapable of short rangewireless communication with the facility apparatus 10, e.g., before theuser visits the facility.

<4-5. Appearance Information Transmission Control Unit>

According to the embodiments, when a user information transmissionrequest is received from the facility apparatus 10, the user apparatus20 as the appearance information transmission control unit or means ofthe embodiment transmits the appearance information indicating theuser's captured face picture to the facility apparatus 10. The inventionis not limited thereto.

For example, the user apparatus 20 may transmit the appearanceinformation when the facility apparatus 10 capable of short rangewireless communication is detected independently of whether or not theintention notification operation is performed. In this case, thefacility apparatus 10 may allow the display section 13 to display thecontent of the appearance information independently of whether or notthe intention information is received.

The appearance information may be transmitted along with the intentioninformation under condition that the intention notification operation isperformed.

The appearance information is not limited to information representingthe user's captured face picture and may include a full-body photographor a composite sketch, i.e., information capable of visually identifyingthe user. When image information representing a photographed image isused as the appearance information, an onboard camera may capture animage of the user who is going to drive a vehicle, for example. Thecaptured image may be transmitted to the user apparatus 20 to update theappearance information.

When the facility apparatus 10 stores the appearance information, it maybe preferable to transmit information capable of specifying theappearance information, e.g., the user identification information storedand associated with the appearance information. Such construction candecrease the amount of data for the information to be transmitted to thefacility apparatus 10 from the user apparatus 20. In this case, theappearance information need not be always stored in the facilityapparatus 10 itself and may be stored in another apparatus that cancommunicate with the facility apparatus 10. For example, a managementapparatus may be provided for storing the appearance information aboutmultiple users. The multiple facility apparatuses 10 may acquire theappearance information from the common management apparatus. Theappearance information can be efficiently managed.

<4-6. Notification Control Unit>

In the embodiments, the facility apparatus 10 as the notificationcontrol unit or means according to the embodiment allows the displaysection 13 to display the contents of the intention information, theappearance information, the basic information, and the preferenceinformation about the user who performed the intention notificationoperation. The invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the content of the intention information need not be alwaysdisplayed as a message and may be indicated by lighting of an indicator.In this case, indicator colors or blink patterns can distinguish betweenmultiple types of intention information.

The information may be displayed hierarchically. For example, only theintention information and the appearance information may be displayed ona top screen. Selecting information on the top screen may jump to adetailed display screen that displays the contents of the basicinformation and the preference information about the user. When theintention information indicates the attendance requesting intention, thebasic information and the preference information may be hidden.

Further, notification may be given to the salesperson otherwise thanvisually. In some ways, the notification is to transfer some informationby acting on at least one of five senses of human being. For example,audible notification may be available.

<4-7. User Information Transmission Control Unit>

In the embodiments, the user apparatus 20 as the user informationtransmission control unit or means according to the embodiment transmitsthe basic information and the preference information when receiving auser information transmission request from the facility apparatus 10.The invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the user apparatus 20 may transmit the basic informationand the preference information upon detection of the facility apparatus10 capable of short range wireless communication independently ofwhether or not the intention notification operation is performed. Inthis case, the facility apparatus 10 may allow the display section 13 todisplay the contents of the basic information and the preferenceinformation independently of whether or not the intention information isreceived.

The basic information and the preference information may be transmittedalong with the intention information under condition that the intentionnotification operation is performed. The basic information and thepreference information are not fixed to those entered by the user butmay be automatically entered or updated based on a history of servicesprovided to the user from the facility, for example.

When the facility apparatus 10 stores the basic information and thepreference information, it may be preferable to transmit informationcapable of specifying these pieces of information, e.g., the useridentification information stored in association with the basicinformation and the preference information. Such construction candecrease the amount of data for the information to be transmitted to thefacility apparatus 10 from the user apparatus 20. In this case, thebasic information and the preference information need not be alwaysstored in the facility apparatus 10 itself and may be stored in anotherapparatus that can communicate with the facility apparatus 10. Forexample, a management apparatus may be provided for storing the basicinformation and the preference information about multiple users. Themultiple facility apparatuses 10 may acquire the basic information andthe preference information from the common management apparatus. Thebasic information and the preference information can be efficientlymanaged.

<4-8. Position Detection Control Unit>

In the second embodiment, the facility apparatus 10 as the positiondetection control unit or means according to the embodiment locates theuser based on the position information about a position of the camera 31for capturing the user who matches the appearance information and theface feature point received from the user apparatus 20. The invention isnot limited thereto.

For example, the user apparatus 20 may be mounted with a GPS. Thefacility apparatus 10 may acquire the GPS′ position detectioninformation from the user apparatus 20 and display a user position on afacility map. Such construction can relatively accurately locate theuser.

As another example, it may be preferable to install antennas at multipleplaces in the facility for detecting the user apparatus 20. The positioninformation may indicate the position of an antenna that most intenselydetects the user apparatus 20. The construction for locating the usercan be simplified.

<4-9. Service Provider Determination Control Unit>

In the third embodiment, the facility apparatus 10 as the serviceprovider determination control unit or means according to the embodimentdetermines a salesperson appropriate for the user based on eachsalesperson's specialized field, available language, and gender. Theinvention is not limited thereto. The salesperson may be determined inconsideration for the other information such as his or her hobby.

Each or any combination of processes, steps, or means explained in theabove can be achieved as a software unit (e.g., subroutine) and/or ahardware unit (e.g., circuit or integrated circuit), including or notincluding a function of a related device; furthermore, the hardware unitcan be constructed inside of a microcomputer.

Furthermore, the software unit or any combinations of multiple softwareunits can be included in a software program, which can be contained in acomputer-readable storage media or can be downloaded and installed in acomputer via a communications network.

<Aspect>

Aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in thefollowing clauses.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an informationcommunication system is provide as follows. The informationcommunication system allows a service provider at a facility toappropriately attend a user visiting the facility in accordance with theuser's intention. In the information communication system, a usercarries a user apparatus and uses it to input his or her intentionconcerning a facility service provider. The user apparatus transmitsintention specification information capable of specifying the intentionto a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the userapparatus. The facility apparatus notifies the facility service providerof the user intention specified based on the intention specificationinformation received from the user apparatus. As a result, the facilityservice provider can recognize the intention of the user visiting thefacility and take appropriate action in accordance with the userintention.

In the information communication system, the user apparatus transmitsthe appearance specification information capable of specifying externalcharacteristics of the user carrying the user apparatus to the facilityapparatus. The facility apparatus notifies the user's externalcharacteristics along with the user intention. The user's externalcharacteristics are specified based on the appearance specificationinformation received from the user apparatus. The facility serviceprovider can identify the user corresponding to the notified userintention even when multiple users visit the facility and areunlocatable.

As an optional feature of the first aspect, an image generated bycapturing the user may be displayed as the user's externalcharacteristics specified based on the appearance specificationinformation. The facility service provider can easily identify the usereven though he or she is unknown.

It may be preferable for the user to easily input his or her intentionconcerning the facility service provider. As an optional feature of thefirst aspect, the intention input control unit may be constructed to beable to input the user intention based on the user's operation ofchoosing from prepared intention candidates. According to thisconstruction, the user just needs to choose from the prepared intentioncandidates. The user can easily notify his or her intention to thefacility service provider.

Further, the intention candidates may include the intention to wish theattendance by the facility service provider. When the intentions areselectable, the user can receive active attendance from the facilityservice provider by notifying the service provider that the user wishesto be attended by the service provider.

Further, the user can efficiently receive attendance from the serviceprovider when the user can enter a timing to wish the attendance, i.e.,a time point from when the user wants the attendance to start, as wellas the intention to wish the attendance by the facility serviceprovider. The user may wish attendance by the service providerimmediately or a little while later. The service provider may or may notimmediately attend the user when recognizing that the user wishes theattendance. When the user wishes attendance a little while later, makingthis information recognizable can help the service provider efficientlytake action.

Further, the intention candidates may include the intention to refusethe attendance by the facility service provider. When the intentions areselectable, the user can refuse active attendance from the facilityservice provider by notifying the service provider that the user refusesto be attended by the service provider.

As an optional feature of the first aspect, the intention input controlunit may be constructed to be able to input any information as the userintention. Such construction can flexibly transfer the user intention.

As an optional feature of the first aspect, the user apparatus maytransmit the user information capable of specifying at least one of theuser's attribute and preference to the facility apparatus. The facilityapparatus may notify the information about the user specified based onthe user information received from the user apparatus as well as theuser's intention and external characteristics. In the informationcommunication system according to such construction, the facilityservice provider can recognize not only the user's intention but alsohis or her attribute and preference. As a result, the service providercan actively provide services suited for the user.

In the information communication system according to the first aspect,the facility apparatus notifies the user's intention and externalcharacteristics. The facility service provider can find and attend theuser even when the user is unlocatable. However, it is preferable torecognize information about the user position when it is difficult tofind the user in a large facility.

As an optional feature of the first aspect, the facility apparatus maylocate the user carrying the user apparatus in the facility and notifythe detected user position as well as the user's intention and externalcharacteristics. According to this construction, the facility serviceprovider can easily find the user.

When there are multiple service providers who can attend the user, it ispreferable to assign a service provider appropriate for the user. As anoptional feature of the first aspect, the facility apparatus may storeinformation about service providers at the facility. The facilityapparatus may determine and notify a service provider appropriate forthe user based on the information received from the user apparatus andthe stored information. Such construction can urge an appropriateservice provider to attend the user.

As an optional feature of the first aspect, the user apparatus maysignify a mobile telephone terminal. Since many users carry mobiletelephone terminals, the information communication system according tothe first aspect is available without needing for the user to carry adedicated apparatus.

As another aspect of the disclosure, the facility apparatus included inthe above information communication system of the first aspect isprovided.

As another aspect of the disclosure, the user apparatus included in theabove information communication system of the first aspect is provided.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided forcontrolling the above facility apparatus. The method comprises:notifying a service provider at the facility of a user intentionspecified based on the intention specification information along withexternal characteristics of a user specified based on appearancespecification information received from the user apparatus undercondition that the intention specification information is received fromthe user apparatus. Relating to this aspect, as yet another aspect ofthe disclosure, a computer readable medium comprising instructions beingexecuted by a computer is provided, wherein the instructions includesthe above method for controlling the facility apparatus and the methodis computer-implemented.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided forcontrolling the above user apparatus. The method comprises: (i)supplying an intention of a user carrying the user apparatus to aservice provider at the facility; (ii) transmitting intentionspecification information capable of specifying an input user intentionto a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatusunder condition that a user intention is input; and (iii) transmittingappearance specification information capable of specifying externalcharacteristics of a user carrying the user apparatus to a facilityapparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatus. Relating tothis aspect, as yet another aspect of the disclosure, a computerreadable medium comprising instructions being executed by a computer isprovided, wherein the instructions includes the above method forcontrolling the user apparatus and the method is computer-implemented.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the above-described embodiments of the present invention.However, the scope of the present invention should be determined by thefollowing claims.

1. An information communication system comprising a user apparatuscarried by a user and a facility apparatus provided for a facility auser may visit, wherein the user apparatus includes: an intention inputcontrol unit for supplying an intention of a user carrying the userapparatus to a service provider at the facility; an intentioninformation transmission control unit for transmitting intentionspecification information capable of specifying an input user intentionto a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatusunder condition that the intention input control unit inputs a userintention; and an appearance information transmission control unit fortransmitting appearance specification information capable of specifyingexternal characteristics of a user carrying the user apparatus to afacility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatus; andwherein, the facility apparatus includes: a notification control unitfor notifying, when receiving the intention specification informationfrom the user apparatus, a service provider at the facility of a userintention specified based on the intention specification informationalong with external characteristics of a user specified based onappearance specification information received from the user apparatus.2. The information communication system according to claim 1, whereinthe notification control unit displays a user's captured image asexternal characteristics of a user specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 3. The information communication systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the intention input control unit isallowed to input a user intention based on a user's operation ofselection from previously prepared intention candidates.
 4. Theinformation communication system according to claim 3, wherein theintention candidate includes at least an intention to wish attendance bya service provider at the facility.
 5. The information communicationsystem according to claim 4, wherein the intention input control unit isallowed to input a time, from when a start of attendance by a serviceprovider is wished, as well as an intention to wish the attendance bythe service provider at the facility.
 6. The information communicationsystem according to claim 3, wherein the intention candidate includes atleast an intention to refuse attendance by a service provider at thefacility.
 7. The information communication system according to claim 1,wherein the intention input control unit is allowed to input anyinformation as a user intention.
 8. The information communication systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the user apparatus includes a userinformation transmission control unit that transmits user informationcapable of specifying at least one of an attribute and a preference of auser carrying the user apparatus to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the user apparatus; and wherein the notificationcontrol unit notifies information about a user specified based on userinformation received from the user apparatus along with the user'sintention specified based on the intention specification information andthe user's external characteristics specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 9. The information communication systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the facility apparatus includes a positiondetection control unit for locating a user carrying the user apparatusat a facility installed with the facility apparatus under condition thatthe intention specification information is received from the userapparatus; and wherein the notification control unit notifies a userposition detected by the position detection control unit along with theuser's intention specified based on the intention specificationinformation and the user's external characteristics specified based onthe appearance specification information.
 10. The informationcommunication system according to claim 1, wherein the facilityapparatus includes a service provider information storage device forstoring information about a service provider at a facility installedwith the facility apparatus, and a service provider determinationcontrol unit for determining a service provider appropriate for a usercarrying the user apparatus based on information received from the userapparatus and information stored in the service provider informationstorage device under condition that the intention specificationinformation is received from the user apparatus; and wherein thenotification control unit notifies a service provider determined by theservice provider determination control unit along with a user'sintention specified based on the intention specification information anduser's external characteristics specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 11. The information communication system ofclaim 1, wherein the user apparatus is a mobile telephone terminal. 12.A facility apparatus used for an information communication system, thesystem including: a user apparatus that is carried by a user andincludes an intention input control unit for entering a user intentionconcerning a service provider at a facility, an intention informationtransmission control unit, and an appearance information transmissioncontrol unit, wherein, when the intention input control unit inputs auser intention, the intention information transmission control unittransmits intention specification information capable of specifying aninput user intention to a facility apparatus capable of communicationand the appearance information transmission control unit transmitsappearance specification information capable of specifying user'sexternal characteristics to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunication; and a facility apparatus that is provided for a facilitya user may visit, the facility apparatus comprising: a notificationcontrol unit for notifying a service provider at the facility of a userintention specified based on the intention specification informationalong with external characteristics of a user specified based onappearance specification information received from the user apparatusunder condition that the intention specification information is receivedfrom the user apparatus.
 13. The facility apparatus according to claim12, wherein the notification control unit displays a user's capturedimage as external characteristics of a user specified based on theappearance specification information.
 14. The facility apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the user apparatus includes a userinformation transmission control unit that transmits user informationcapable of specifying at least one of an attribute and a preference of auser carrying the user apparatus to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the user apparatus; and wherein the notificationcontrol unit notifies information about a user specified based on userinformation received from the user apparatus along with the user'sintention specified based on the intention specification information andthe user's external characteristics specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 15. The facility apparatus according to claim12, wherein the facility apparatus includes a position detection controlunit for locating a user carrying the user apparatus at a facilityinstalled with the facility apparatus under condition that the intentionspecification information is received from the user apparatus; andwherein the notification control unit notifies a user position detectedby the position detection control unit along with the user's intentionspecified based on the intention specification information and theuser's external characteristics specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 16. The facility apparatus according to claim12, wherein the facility apparatus includes a service providerinformation storage device for storing information about a serviceprovider at a facility installed with the facility apparatus, and aservice provider determination control unit for determining a serviceprovider appropriate for a user carrying the user apparatus based oninformation received from the user apparatus and information stored inthe service provider information storage device under condition that theintention specification information is received from the user apparatus;and wherein the notification control unit notifies a service providerdetermined by the service provider determination control unit along witha user's intention specified based on the intention specificationinformation and user's external characteristics specified based on theappearance specification information.
 17. A user apparatus used for aninformation communication system, the system including: the userapparatus carried by a user; and a facility apparatus that is providedfor a facility possibly visited by a user and includes a notificationcontrol unit for notifying a service provider at the facility of a userintention specified based on intention specification information alongwith the user's external characteristics specified based on appearancespecification information capable of specifying the user's externalcharacteristics received from the user apparatus under condition thatthe intention specification information capable of specifying a userintention concerning the service provider at the facility is receivedfrom the user apparatus, the user apparatus comprising: an intentioninput control unit for supplying an intention of a user carrying theuser apparatus to a service provider at the facility; an intentioninformation transmission control unit for transmitting intentionspecification information capable of specifying an input user intentionto a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatusunder condition that the intention input control unit inputs a userintention; and an appearance information transmission control unit fortransmitting appearance specification information capable of specifyingexternal characteristics of a user carrying the user apparatus to afacility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatus. 18.The user apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the appearanceinformation transmission control unit of the user apparatus transmitsinformation capable of specifying an image capturing a user asappearance specification information capable of specifying externalcharacteristics of the user carrying the user apparatus.
 19. The userapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the intention input controlunit is allowed to input a user intention based on a user's operation ofselection from prepared intention candidates.
 20. The user apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein the intention candidate includes at leastan intention to wish attendance by a service provider at the facility.21. The user apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the intentioninput control unit is allowed to input a time, from when a start ofattendance by a service provider is wished, as well as an intention towish the attendance by the service provider at the facility.
 22. Theuser apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the intention candidateincludes at least an intention to refuse attendance by a serviceprovider at the facility.
 23. The user apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the intention input control unit is allowed to input anyinformation as a user intention.
 24. The user apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein the user apparatus includes a user informationtransmission control unit that transmits user information capable ofspecifying at least one of an attribute and a preference of a usercarrying the user apparatus to a facility apparatus capable ofcommunicating with the user apparatus; and wherein the notificationcontrol unit notifies information about a user specified based on userinformation received from the user apparatus along with the user'sintention specified based on the intention specification information andthe user's external characteristics specified based on the appearancespecification information.
 25. A method for controlling a facilityapparatus used for an information communication system including: a userapparatus that is carried by a user and includes an intention inputcontrol unit for entering a user intention concerning a service providerat a facility and an intention information transmission control unit,and an appearance information transmission control unit wherein, whenthe intention input control unit inputs a user intention, the intentioninformation transmission control unit transmits intention specificationinformation capable of specifying an input user intention to a facilityapparatus capable of communication and the appearance informationtransmission control unit transmits appearance specification informationcapable of specifying user's external characteristics to a facilityapparatus capable of communication; and the facility apparatus providedfor a facility a user may visit, the method comprising: notifying aservice provider at the facility of a user intention specified based onthe intention specification information along with externalcharacteristics of a user specified based on appearance specificationinformation received from the user apparatus under condition that theintention specification information is received from the user apparatus.26. A method for controlling a user apparatus used for an informationcommunication system including: the user apparatus carried by a user;and a facility apparatus that is provided for a facility possiblyvisited by a user and includes a notification control unit for notifyinga service provider at the facility of a user intention specified basedon intention specification information along with the user's externalcharacteristics specified based on appearance specification informationcapable of specifying the user's external characteristics received fromthe user apparatus under condition that the intention specificationinformation capable of specifying a user intention concerning theservice provider at the facility is received from the user apparatus,the method comprising: supplying an intention of a user carrying theuser apparatus to a service provider at the facility; transmittingintention specification information capable of specifying an input userintention to a facility apparatus capable of communicating with the userapparatus under condition that a user intention is input; andtransmitting appearance specification information capable of specifyingexternal characteristics of a user carrying the user apparatus to afacility apparatus capable of communicating with the user apparatus. 27.A computer readable medium comprising instructions being executed by acomputer, the instructions including the method for controlling thefacility apparatus according to claim 25, the method beingcomputer-implemented.
 28. A computer readable medium comprisinginstructions being executed by a computer, the instructions includingthe method for controlling the user apparatus according to claim 26, themethod being computer-implemented.